Robinson Crusoe for Boys and Girls

This little book is the result of much experience in seeking to adapt the story of Robinson Crusoe to the literary attainments and educational needs of children in the primary schools... Those events in DeFoe's story that are of doubtful educational value are omitted; but it is believed that the child's interest in the narrative is not impaired thereby. The language is that of children, and Robinson seems to be telling his story to them.

Popular passages

Page 131 - Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more. My friends, do they now and then send A wish or a thought after me ? O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see.

Page 130 - Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place. 1 am out of humanity's reach, I must finish my journey alone, Never hear the sweet music of speech, I start at the sound of my own. The beasts that roam over the plain My form with indifference see, They are so unacquainted with man, Their tameness is shocking to me.

Page 131 - And the swift-winged arrows of light. When I think of my own native land, In a moment I seem to be there; But alas ! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, The beast is laid down in his lair, Even here is a season of rest, And I to my cabin repair.

Page 131 - But alas ! recollection at hand Soon hurries me back to despair. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, The beast is laid down in his lair, Even here is a season of rest, And I to my cabin repair. There's mercy in every place, And mercy, encouraging thought ! Gives even affliction a grace, And reconciles man to his lot.

Page 81 - I had a short jacket of goat's skin, the skirts coming down to about the middle of the thighs, and a pair of openkneed breeches of the same ; the breeches were made of the skin of an old goat, whose hair hung down such a length on either side, that...

Page 80 - It would have made a stoic smile, to see me and my little family sit down to dinner : there was my majesty, the prince and lord of the whole island ; I had the lives of all my subjects at my absolute command ; I could hang, draw, give liberty, and take it away ; and no rebels among all my subjects.